OBJECTIVE. To compare the long-term outcome of open and laparoscopic surgery for Dukes' B and C rectal cancer in a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

DESIGN. Retrospective study.

SETTING. A regional hospital in Hong Kong.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Survival and local recurrence rates.

PATIENTS. Patients with Dukes' B and C rectal cancers underwent elective curative open or laparoscopic surgery during the period December 2000 to December 2006.

RESULTS. A total of 222 patients (open surgery, n=133; laparoscopic surgery, n=89) were assessed. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates for all patients were 72% and 58%, respectively. Local recurrence rates were similar in both groups. Laparoscopic group had better overall survival (P=0.014), however. The overall 3-year survival rates were 79% and 68% in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. The corresponding 5-year rates were 75% and 52%. Multivariate analysis also demonstrated that laparoscopic surgery was a significant independent factor for better survival. Chemotherapy, local recurrence, lymph node metastasis, and poorly differentiated tumour were significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSION. Laparoscopic surgery for Dukes' B and C rectal cancer was associated with more favourable survival than with open surgery.

Key words: Disease-free survival; Laparoscopy; Neoplasm recurrence, local; Rectal neoplasms; Treatment outcome

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